Hull City at The Emirates: team news and predicted starting XI

Before we begin, I thought I’d offer you a little insight into my mind. Recently, I was asked to write a report for Arseblog news. To say I’m rather proud of that would be an understatement. Arseblog is the standard to which I aspire. It’s a huge, well read site that’s full of good stuff. Mine is not. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of speaking with Andrew, you’ll know he’s a extremely amiable fellow – even when confronted with Daniel Cowan’s relentless homosexual advances.

All the above is irrefutable, yet my mind is not my greatest ally. During the writing of that inconsequential piece, and even now, I was hit with the compulsion to cast my report to one side and post a picture of my penis accompanied by a jolly poem. At one point I had to compose myself enough to fight temptation. I am an odd individual.

Note: Andrew, if by some reason you’re reading this, I am joking. You have absolutely nothing to worry about. I wouldn’t post a picture of my penis on Arseblog. I swear to you. I promise. You’re absolutely safe from that. There’s no need to worry at all.

Right, onto the game.

Having hilariously dispatched Liverpool over the weekend, it’s safe to say Hull City will make the trip to The Emirates buoyed by good fortune. Whilst many consider them to be relegation certainties and an easy 3 points tonight, I do not. These are the games that cause me concern; the ones we all know should be relatively easy.

The team news is quite interesting. Quite a few reports out there are confirming Bacary Sagna has hamstring trouble and will be replaced by Carl Jenkinson. The Ox and Podolski are still on the mend – the latter said to have suffered a small injury setback and unlikely to return to full training until next week at some point. Abou Diaby has retired from football and joined Yaya Sanogo on a quest to visit as many Karaoke bars in the space of the coming year. By all accounts, their rendition of Unchained Melody is quite lovely.

Rotation is expected tonight. With a tough fixture against Everton on Sunday, it is reported by many that Arsene might mix up the pack a little and rest Mertesacker, Ozil and Wilshere to name but a few. I think it’s a good idea to allow a few players on the periphery a chance at establishing their credentials for a regular spot, but not to the extent of breaking up team harmony.

That said, Mr Wenger knows a fair amount more than I, so should be choose to bring in the changes, who I am to dispute it? A blogger, that’s who. We love to pretend we’d do better in the hotseat, don’t we…

My guess at the line-up:

Arsenal should win. Performing the the height of their capabilities, Arsenal should win comfortably. Gone are the days (hopefully) of terrifying evenings at The Emirates that involve 56 shots on target and a 1-1 draw. There is a greater stability and professionalism to the team these days.

However, we can ill-afford to take Hull as anything but a good opponent. They have amassed 17 points already and sit comfortably in mid table. Few would have expected that, so we can’t take them lightly. Steve Bruce might be the kind of c**t upon which all other c**ts are judged, but he will set up his team to compete and be difficult to break down.

I shall go for a 3-0 victory with the occasional scare. Not to scary though, Arsenal. I frighten easily and it’s always embarrassing for a grown man to whimper. The betting odds are stacked in Arsenal’s favour. You can find the odd football-based site amongst the various sites for betting on Super Bowl.

That’s all for today, folks. Please use the comments to offer me up some of your opinions on the team. What selection would you like to see? How do you predict the game going? Let me know.

5 thoughts on “Hull City at The Emirates: team news and predicted starting XI”

doesnt verm normally come in on the left and kos switch to the right?
personally i think its a bit too much risk to swap out both bac and per at the same time, plus walcott maybe giving a bit less protection in front too.
(i dont blame him for giving less protection as he is expected to be making runs to attack and score)

I would like to give Cazorla the number 10 spot with Rosicky playing on the left wing…….otherwise it would be good to start Gnabry on the left wing with Rosicky as number 10 ………only saying…….Wenger knows best

Good thinking. Kos to maintain spot and provide protection to monreal who is expected to go up front should Carzorla draft inwards; no nonsence flamini to shield Jenkinson in addition to the versatile verminator; Gnabry to be on bench for Walcot. Expect Arteta on the bench to cover for Flamini and Ryo Miyachi for Rosicky.

Just wanted to say that this blog gives me a good giggle and i love that you are not afraid to be a bit mental, the world needs more mental….actually wait……

Nah it is a beautiful blog and you should be damn proud that a local boy is reading this from Cambodia! i have to wake up at 2.45 tomorrow morning to watch it and i have no guarantee of it even being on!

and as for today’s blog, i don’t think wenger will drop so many, i hope so, but i doubt it. (its the whole do you disrupt the flow/ rest those fuckers! debate)